Bombers deliver arch-rival Magpies first defeat of the season | photos, video

Killarney Vale bounced back from their first loss of the season with a 50-11 win over regional rivals Wyong Lakes on the road. Image via Merrillie Redden Photography.

Killarney Vale have staken the spoils in the southern grudge-match between themselves and Wyong Lakes in a 50-11 victory, knocking over the Magpies at Don Small Oval and levelling both sides on competitive points once more.

After falling to a renewed Newcastle outfit last weekend, and missing key players like Sasha Edwards, Georgia Butler, and Brooke Hoolihan against City, the host of returns against opponents Wyong was a “welcome boost,” Bombers coach Peter Kelleher said.

Considering how key a win over the undefeated Magpies was going to be, and “how much it always means to the girls”, it was never a fixture Kelleher wanted to slip in.

It was a close first quarter in Wyong, and either side looked set to claim the victory as Chelsea Dawson kicked off proceedings with a major, before Taylah Tudehope fired back for the Magpies. A second for the Bombers, through Jocelyn Kelleher, gave the travelling side the 14-8 lead heading into the middle period of the clash.

It wasn’t until the third quarter, with both sides locked in a tight 14-10 struggle, that Angela Jones broke open the match. The Bombers grabbed the game from there, as Jenkins and Hannah Page both finished with doubles in the 7.8-50-to-1.5-11 win.

“We had that big change of personel and they all shone on their returns,” Kelleher said of the 39-point win against the side’s rivals. “Sasha [Edwards] in particular was a massive standout for us, and Jocelyn [Kelleher] was named on best on ground after moving from the forwards back into the mids in the middle of the game.”

Victory tasted all the sweeter for the Bombers as they returned home to their neck of the woods on the Central Coast with a fifth win in six games. Even better for the side, they delivered their rivals the very first loss of their season.

“We’ve always had this fierce rivalry with Wyong because they’re so close to us, and we’ve had a few player swaps too – our former captain is even with them now,” Kelleher explained. “There’s always a fair bit of feeling in the games between the two of us.

“I think the team was disappointed too after we lost to Newcastle last week, so they showed a lot of maturity to come back against a really strong Wyong outfit and grab that bounce-back win. It’s key for us, because we’re looking to make the grand final.

“We’d be very disappointed if we don’t make top four this year, and get that second chance in the finals. We definitely think we’re in the hunt because we’re just constantly improving our performances from last year. The girls have stood up and showed their character against Wyong, and that’s key for our season for sure.”

Hayley Wright slotted eight for Cardiff, and made sure the Hawks stayed fifth with a 5-1 record after sweeping past the Gosford Tigers on Saturday afternoon. Image via Geoff Robinson.

Also on Saturday, Singleton defeated Port Stephens 53-1 at Rose Point Park in the early fixture, while Cardiff rolled over Gosford away from home with a 175-nil victory. Hayley Wright was the lead scorer for the Hawks with eight, while young representative star Arizona Cross added six to the pile.

Lake Macquarie chalked up their second win of the season to move into tenth place, defeating Wallsend-West Newcastle 7.9-51 to 4.6-30 as Rashelle Carusi kicked three for the Dockers, and Warners Bay stayed ninth with a 46-6 win over the winless Marlins.

Finally, Newcastle stayed in touch with the top six with an 61 to nil over The Entrance Bateau Bay that was led by four majors for Kristel Gavenlock, while Terrigal Avoca clocked up 20 goals in a 134-nil win over Muswellbrook. League leaders Maitland had the bye.